How to Destroy Bones

[Guest guest]

Hello Peg,

Here is a story about how to destroy bones. [severe Osteoporosis]

1) As a strict, close-minded, and ignorant vegan for 6 years,

I ate nothing from any animal source. The result was

acutely deficient protein over an extended period.

My skin was ravaged. I looked 10 years older than my age.

2) During those 6 years, I ran 30 to 50 miles per week.

Without the protein, the excessive exercise literally

destroyed my skeleton. Protein is essential to maintain

and repair bones, especially under extreme long-term

stressful athletic conditions.

3) I took no supplements at all - none - zero. The minerals

essential to maintain and repair bones were missing.

4) I got no sunshine at all (ran at night - got no Vitamin-D,

which is essential to maintain and repair bones).

5) After I became crippled with acute hip pain from osteomalacia

(a literal aching of the bones deep inside the body)

I finally figured out what was wrong, and over-supplemented

for 3 years with 20,000 IU of Vit-A palmitate -- the bad type

of pre-formed Vit-A in retinol form that harms the bones.

---- 1) Acute lack of protein

---- 2) Excessive exercise

---- 3) Missing minerals

---- 4) Zero sunshine

---- 5) No supplements to compensate

---- 6) Retinol form of Vit-A in excess

Current DEXA bone scans of my lower back show a Z-score

of approximately -3.3. This is severe osteoporosis.

Fewer than 1 person in 1000 has bones worse than mine.

I have suffered many painful broken ribs over the last

few years. Daily back pain is a constant phenomenon.

Other joints and limbs are worn and painful, to the point

that crutches are helpful.

So..., if you wish to avoid the bad bones of a 90

year old person... there are good lessons right here

in this story about how to destroy bones.

-- Warren

Moderation in all things ...

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On 06 Oct 2003, Francesca wrote:

Moderation in all things (even vitamins and supplements) is always

a good idea.

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On 06 Oct 2003, Peg wrote:

On cod liver oil use: After playing detective for years, I believe a

combination of bone loss and hair loss on my part may be directly

attributable to over-consumption of the retinol form of Vitamin A in

supplements, as opposed to beta carotene, this over many years. Being

very athletic, big boned and never blonde and having taken calcium and

Fosamax as well as Evista for years, I see this is the likely culprit.

Since changing the supplement to one with much less vitamin A and only

as beta carotene, and only taking that twice a week, my hair loss

appears to have stopped. I have to wait two years for another bone

DEXA scan. Cod liver oil is all bad vitamin A, I believe. Ironically,

I never fracture despite some dramatic tumbles! I am a 70-year-old

female so my reasoning may or may not be correct. Peg